Dragging myself back to riding not just hoarding bikes and getting fat....

Literally that, just an expression of my internal lament that I spend more time on here or restoring bikes for myself and sometimes others than I do riding...!
Life has many other distractions, an old house, the demands of my other half , mostly related to said house.. several cars, also in varying states of project..
How have others managed to cement a shift back into making reality the dream like state of a mint sauce strip, actually riding?
Partly because of the modern condition as I call it ( depression ) I find myself knowing I need to get more sun, and less exposure to the media or the news... I also need to lose a dose of waistline, a couple of stone probably before I can enjoy my Whyte prst with no fear of breaking it.. that perhaps is a good incentive.
I've also recently started looking at my bike stash, and figuring out what will I use, what's needed for peace of mind spares, and what therefore is needing to get sold.
I've sent off some Pace forks to Fork english, and plan to balance the cost by selling some things, the service fee is very reasonable for professional service.. but I did send him three forks.. and this is one trick I've learnt works from others, as a method to manage the seperation anxiety of selling things, my hobby being self sufficient for the forseeable based on rationalisation is perfectly feasible I think! I've mentioned this to Tim, he probably thought I was mad but didnt say so!
So I will post some bits up in the near future.. its weird knowing youve an ambition, the required kit, but somehow not making it happen...?!
I guess this is a weird post, but I suspect others here would understand the situation and maybe hearing from others might help motivate and instill a positive shift.. if you've a procrastination mindset, or had depression then you would be reading this nodding or smiling maybe?
I have a nice stable of bikes, I think I just need to break the habits and get riding above building bikes, beer and the rest of life.
I do often commute on a bike, takes about five minutes currently.. so nice to ride them but not much on fitness!
Its a strange ramble , sorry, maybe it will resonate with someone and give us both a boot up the backside...

Resonates with me, I have spent years hoarding bikes, talking about bikes etc etc.

I find the today's ride thread on here motivates me. I put a quick bike ride into the schedule before other things even just for a few miles.

All the best!!

I'm lucky I'm able to cycle to and fro during work, as well as commuting a short distance, but making the effort to ditch driving as much as possible all year has really upped the ante. I am loathe to drive for any purpose now. Time constraints are usually self imposed, so ditching something in favour of riding time is the answer.

Absolutely resonates with me. I too have a rationalisation plan, it just seems incredibly tough to get bikes sold atm. I have three currently listed on Gumtree and not a sniff. Well a couple of sniffs that led to nothing. Also one on ebay and again apart from the occasional question, nothing that leads to a sale.
I set a target for this week, since the weather was so good that I should ride a different bike for at least an hour every day and post up the ride on "Today's Ride" here. So far so good and planning today's mini adventure, which is a little challenging since today I have two dog walks, and a climbing session and a trip to Heathrow airport to fit in but I am determined.
Wish me luck and I wish you the same in your endeavours.

It all sounds so familiar. We are human magpies.

Work related stuff has always been the issue for me - when I lived close to work I used to get out every day after work plus Sunday morning. Only ever an hour max but it kept me in great shape. Work promotions moved me further and further away until it was just the Sunday morning ride I could fit in. That fizzled out about 10 years ago maybe more. I became a cycle owner not a cyclist!

A couple of years back work offered the chance to do a four day week, condensed hours. Now I’m back out every Friday for a decent ride with a riding buddy who is usually free that day. Making the ride something to look forward to really helps. Sometimes we go from home but usually drive up to an hour away to get some new locations in. OSmaps to find some car free bridleways etc really helps make it worthwhile.

Yes I could have ridden in the dark after my work travels before this but for me the ride has to be an experience not just the pedals turning. I do envy those who can commute though!

I've had a similar reflection, and a similar context and come to a number of conclusions:

1) I do what I do for me, and no-one else. I'm too old now to worry about what anyone else thinks.
2) As a middle aged chap, life gets in the way. That's OK. I have other priorities than riding every weekend.
3) I needed to sell some stuff that I just didn't need. But I made sure I held on to a few bits that I just couldn't part with.
4) I am a fair weather cyclist. That means less riding in the autumn/winter and more in the spring/summer
5) I really enjoy tinkering, building, fettling - and that can be done year round.
6) Physical exercise is not just good for physical health - it is the best tonic for your wellbeing in general, but that's not limited to cycling.

Set yourself some short term goals, make them achievable. Get those endorphins pumping from hitting your targets.

I went through similar after my main riding buddies stopped having time to ride and I was busy with kids, work, house, etc. I stopped waiting for the opportunity for a social ride and just started getting out on my own at a time that suited me (mid week usually as I work shifts). At a pretty stressful time of life I found getting out in to the hills with no music or distractions, plenty of fresh air and scenery to stop and look at a real tonic. They key for me was making time when the weather was nice. All the other jobs can wait for an hour or two.

I wouldn't over think selling if you don't need to either. Just pick a bike you want to ride, prepare it for use and keep it somewhere easily accessible. When you are pedalling you'll have time to think about what to do with your collection anyway, it's the perfect time! With longer, sunnier days coming and lighter nights make time for yourself, even if just for a short time as it'll improve your wellbeing and that in turn benefits those around you.

Any nearby Retrobikers or other cycling friends? Once you get out the routine of going out riding it can be hard to get back into it, but the commitment of going with someone else is often helpful.

Nice reflections everyone!

Interesting to see how chaps approach what is certainly a junction for most us at some point or another: how many bikes are enough if you don't have time to ride (and enjoy) them as much as you wish?

Unintentionally (or maybe by accident) I was somehow conscious of this from the start. So the reason I got into retrobike restoration was to be able to try a few steeds and pick even less as keepers to ride. Also to meet like minded people that we can nerd about old MTBs.

I tried to stick to this association as much as I could and I must say it paid off to an extend. I work half day a week on the bikes I build / repair / maintain and for the rest I try to fit in as many lunch rides as I can the rest of the week. I don't beat myself if I can't make either of the two for a week or two.

Also, no matter how I like tinkering with the bikes I see that other interests outside bikes slowly take hold of me like carpentry, hiking and mountaineering so inevitably I have to keep a tab and only have what I use from parts and bikes.

I guess what I am saying is, this is just a hobby of the many that can be had so why put all your eggs in one basket?